Formula: Co (NO3)26H2O
CAS No.: 10026-22-9
M.W.: 291.04
Properties: Red monoclinic crystal columnar crystal, density:1.87g/cm3, freely soluble in water, ethanol, acetone and methyl acetate, slightly soluble in ammonia water.
Application: Mainly used as catalyzer material in chemical industry, antitoxic for cyanide, reagent for antitoxic, colorant in ceramic industry and material for paint drier.
Storage: Store in a cool, ventilating place. Prevent package from breaking and deliquescing
Packing: 25kg net, Paper/PE complex bags with double PE inners.
Cobalt nitrate (chemical formula: Co(NO₃)₂) is a water-soluble cobalt salt with diverse industrial and scientific applications, primarily leveraging its chemical reactivity and ability to form stable complexes. Its key application fields are as follows:
Chemical Industry: Catalyst and Catalyst Precursor
It is widely used as a core catalyst or catalyst precursor in chemical synthesis processes. For example, it acts as a catalyst in the oxidation of organic compounds (such as the production of adipic acid) and the synthesis of fine chemicals. It can also be used to prepare supported catalysts (e.g., loading cobalt onto alumina or silica carriers) for reactions like ammonia synthesis and hydrocarbon reforming.
Toxicology: Antidote for Cyanide Poisoning
In medical and emergency scenarios, cobalt nitrate serves as an effective antidote for cyanide poisoning. It reacts with cyanide ions (CN⁻) in the body to form stable cobalt-cyanide complexes (e.g., [Co(CN)₆]³⁻), which are non-toxic and can be excreted from the body, thereby preventing cyanide from inhibiting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and alleviating toxic effects.
Ceramic and Glass Industry: Colorant
As a ceramic colorant, it imparts vivid blue or blue-violet hues to ceramic glazes and bodies. During the firing process, cobalt ions (Co²⁺/Co³⁺) diffuse into the ceramic matrix, forming stable color centers that resist high temperatures and chemical erosion—this is widely used in the production of decorative ceramics, tableware, and artistic ceramics. It is also used in glass coloring to create cobalt blue glass for optical filters or decorative glass products.
Coating Industry: Paint Drier
It is an essential drier component in oil-based paints and coatings. Cobalt nitrate accelerates the oxidation and polymerization of unsaturated fatty acids in the paint film (e.g., linseed oil), shortening the drying time of the coating, improving film hardness, and enhancing the coating’s adhesion and water resistance. It is often used in combination with other metal driers (e.g., manganese, lead driers) to optimize drying performance.
Material Science: Precursor for Cobalt-Based Materials
It is a critical raw material for preparing various cobalt-based functional materials:
Magnetic materials: Used to synthesize cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) or cobalt-based permanent magnet powders.
Battery materials: As a precursor for lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂), a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries (used in early smartphones and portable electronics).
Ceramic powders: For producing high-purity cobalt oxide (CoO/Co₂O₃) powders used in electronic ceramics.
Laboratory: Analytical Reagent
In analytical chemistry, it functions as a reagent for qualitative and quantitative analysis. For instance, it is used to detect phosphate ions (forming a blue precipitate of cobalt phosphate) or as a standard solution in atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to determine cobalt content in samples.
Agriculture: Trace Element Fertilizer Additive
In some cases, it is used as a source of cobalt in trace element fertilizers for crops (especially legumes). Cobalt is an essential component of vitamin B₁₂, which promotes nitrogen fixation in root nodules of leguminous plants, thereby improving soil fertility and crop yield (though its application in agriculture is less common than in industry due to strict dosage control).
